This episode begins with a scene in the OR where Frank is vilified by Hawkeye. It continues in public as the browbeating continues. Pierce is basking in the glow of his own self-importance but is really going beyond what is acceptable. Henry orders him to apologize to Frank but nothing doing. After removing shrapnel from a young soldier and showing off, the kid begins to go sour. Hawkeye is devastated that he could have made a mistake. Frank razzes him and they get into a fight. Hawkeye becomes obsessed with what happened and puzzles over it day and night. Eventually, he will have to recognize that he can't continue to think he is God on earth. He begins to alienate everyone and seems incapable of taking advice from anyone. Even when I first watched this show, there were times when Alan Alda's portrayal of Pierce was hard to take. For a compassionate man, he could be incredibly cruel if it was in his self interest.
Review of Sticky Wicket
